Too Many Tights!

A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far Far Away...

1. One more sleep to go!!! If you want any pieces of the new collection ('You Don't Need a Psychologist, You Need and Exorcist") head to the Black Milk shop and snap them up.

A massive thank you to everyone who picked up pieces from the collection - this has been (by far) our most successful collection to date. 

It's really cool that so many people are supporting independent design (and designers!). :)  

And for all you guys who did get pieces, feel free to put any pics up at the Facebook group (pleeeease!)

                         

Can't wait to get stuck into my next collection. :)

2. If you are interested in how you can fairly conservatively style a catsuit and still look absolutely amazing ... behold:

 

This is the sheer version of the Black Butterfly top.. but I'm waiting on some heavier fabric to do it with. Sorreeee!

You can Hype the look here (and if you comment on the shoes, I will find you..)

3. A long time ago.... well, in the 80s:

 

One thing you have to say about styling in the 80s... utterly fearless. I mean think about it - you've got this guy with the physique of a praying mantis, and the stylist on this shoot has taken one look and said "Yep, zebra striped muscle shirt, pointy cuffs, shiny leggings and red vinyl boots. Perfect".

And a fake lightsabre has got to be the most underrated accessory of all time.

(C'mon admit it, he does look like a praying mantis.)

4. Roberto, if you're reading this, despite your penchant for fake tan and bootleg jeans, I gotta admit you're pretty awesome.

I have to write that because I know he gets insecure if he thinks I'm not into his stuff. S'all good, RC, I'm down with it.

5. You know how I was having a big winge recently about how the grandmas were taking over fashion? There was some completely bizarre olive green cable knit hot pants from some label... I can't remember.

However, let it not be said that I cannot change my mind. 

Gotta admit, this rocks.

 

Domenico e Stefano, rispetto! Adesso, mi piaciono le nonne.

6. I think one of my snake leggings shed it's skin and ... turned green. Which is very helpful is you happen to have green eyes. And green hair.

 

I may have one more of these... (XS). Thanks SJ!

7. Abbey Lee and her pet gap fleeing some frightfully glamorous event. Sheer pieces are so hot right now. In fact, I'm going to make myself a sheer man-top! You just wait and see.

 

All I can say is, whatever is in that car behind her must be reeeeeally interesting!

x

jL

p.s. We'll be at Alhambra Lounge tomorrow night with a rack of clothes for their market if you happen to in Bris Vegas... I'll be the guy in the sheer man-top. :)

All The Hype That Money Can Buy

1. LAST WEEK FOR THE COLLECTION!

There will be several hundred pieces getting sewn today - so for all you very patient girls waiting, not too much longer. :)

2. Got these from the instantly recognisable (and always amazing) SP:

You want a close up on that tee shirt, don't' you...? (feel free to hype it here!)

Yes, the very first Black Milk tee shirt!

 

I'm very proud of myself. :) 

And the leggings are part of a little collaboration I'm doing with Beserk Clothing. I'll try to make them available soon!

3. My respect for the fine sport of synchronised swimming has just gone through the roof.

Very high cut... if you want something skeletal, but lower cut and ... less blue, I can help.

4. This picture was going so well until the bottom of the skirt where it all goes.... well, veiny.

Part of that whole 'emphasise bodily aspects that no one likes' movement. Can't wait for the cellulite print pantyhose to come out.

5. I got these pics a few days ago from the amazing ML. Lightning leggings!

Needless to say I love all of these pics... (and I'll just assume you do as well). That last pose is called 'the Mermaid'. Very Ariel.

And yes, I fixed the colours problem. You can get them here.

6. I was told that these were possible Beetlejuice inspired. However, vertical striped leggings make me think of one person...

 

Obelix (sorry!)

But I actually really do like these.

7. Getting 20 swimsuits done up this week. I hope you like astronomy, secret societies, star wars, and bat winged unicorns.

I know you do. 

8. I'm discouraged.

 

I just know that someone is going to think these are BM. *Sigh*

x

jL

Why So Serious?

1. Okay, to answer all the people who emailed me...

All the pieces of the new collection will finish up this Friday... except for the pantyhose and tiger stripes! (I consider those basics.)

So if you see a picture at the Black Milk Shop with this girl, it will be there until Friday night:

This collection has been really successful, and now I'm itching to get into a new collection, and some other stuff that I have been talking about for a while... :)

2. I've been getting lots of love lately from happy girls with happy legs. Thanks so much to everyone who takes the time to express their appreciation. It's a huge buzz for me personally to know that there are girls all over the world standing around talking about their pretty leggings that we made. 

Any pics and love, please feel free to add them to the Facebook group!

3. Got asked about doing this style... without the strange snake skin effect:

Hard to see, but it looks more like a dinosaur skin. Not that anyone knows what dinosaur skin looks like.

And I'm not sure about this length. Gym length. Could work, depending on the shoes.

(Sorry - lost the link to this one, feel free to add it if you know!)

4. I should have put a warning on the catsuits... WARING: wearing a catsuit can turn you evil.

You know how it is... you go to your wardrobe looking for something slick to wear, next thing you know you're dangling some green headed freak off a gargoyle head.

Been there.

5. Got tipped off to these recently...

Hard to give an opinion here because I feel like the shoes are just so far off in terms of the styling. Having said that, give us some ankle boots and a slouchy black top, and this could definitely look sweet.

6. Still getting lots of pretty pics of the Galaxy leggings...

Thanks IM and WL!

Believe it or not we still have no Galaxy leggings in stock. They just go too quickly. :(

Getting a squillion next week...

7. Got this from the beautiful KH:

The epic ribs bodysuit. They're not really that white BTW...

8. Okay, let's talk turkey. I don't want to be a hater - I'm just saying what we're all thinking...

Galaxies printed on leggings - I'm cool with that (obviously). Sparkly fuscia apples ...?

How did that concept brain storming session go down? Seriously, did a fit model say "You know, I really like these leggings (galaxy print leggings are so hot right now) I just feel like it's lacking a certain something..."

"Something fruity?"

"Yeah, something fruity..."

"Well, what say we get a couple of sparkly apples sitting on top of those thighs?"

"Bingo, baby...."

9. Okay, now I'll confess my own sins instead of the sins of others. Some of the colours of my prints have gone mental at the moment. In particular the great wave leggings. Can you guys tell?

x

jL
 

Latte Nero

1. IMPORTANT! The new collection will only be available until the end of the month. So if you want any of the pieces, grab them before October. 

That's one week.

Of course, if you're broke at the moment, please don't kill yourself buying lots of clothes. Try to prioritise rent and food (despite appearances to the contrary, the emaciated and homeless garner very little respect in the fashion industry). There will always be more around the corner. :)

After that I'll be focusing on some new pieces. And the swim, and the shorts...

2. Peepies, this is how to wear wet look leggings. Observe:

 

A couple of things that you will notice here. Firstly, the leggings here are perfectly flat, no wrinkles, just like a second skin. They will stay like that even when she walks. You can only do this with leggings that have a really good stretch on both the horizontal and the vertical. 

Secondly, notice that although our model here has great legs, she is not exactly... shall we say ...scraping the clouds. So the excess at the bottom of the leggings just gets flicked under the heel. This helps give the impression of a little more height, and avoids bunching.

Win! (Thanks for the tip, Moonie!)

3. The erudite KCR, who is not amused. 

Featuring the very underrated Black Ribs Bodysuit

4. This woman is probably a celebrity. I don't have conclusive proof, but I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying that this is probably a Pam Hogg catsuit.

Gold and silver in the same piece - what think you?

5. I got some pics from the beautiful KH (and NM!) who decided to do an Aeon Flux styled photoshoot. 

Check it out:

Wet Look Catsuit

Liquids

Sheer bodysuit (and my zip glove from waaaaaay back)

PVC Jacket

Sheer bodysuit (better view of the glove)

Black Butterfly Top. 

Thanks peeps, great job. :) (Credits here)

6. I'm not up on the goss, so I have no idea who this is. But to be blunt - these leggings are an abomination.

In all my time as a designer, I have never met a woman who felt like her knees were an asset (except for walking). Certainly not to the point that she strove to draw attention to them. It's not that knees are ugly... they're just, y'know ... knees. There are certain body parts that are just not high up on the 'might reveal' list. 

Like gums, I suppose.

And as for those shoes ... yeah, no.

(Of course, if you feel I have erred and would like to correct me - feel free to post a link to some amazing knee revealing apparel.)

7. Some guys just freak out when faced with Galaxy Leggings. Here is a photo of a dude shortly post freak out. 

(Thanks MHW!)

We seem to have churned through all our supplier's print fabric again  :(  Craziness. Getting more next week. Sorry for those we told would be getting their stuff posted Friday... we meant Friday in the Tuesday sense of the word.

8. I feel like I'm being looked down upon.

Yeah, these are pretty cool. 

From the Style Defined NYC blog: "The incomparable Ms. Sophia Lamar always turns it out, so why would fashion week be any different? The leggings make me think of Katie Gallagher"

Guess I've got a way to go, huh?

9. Looking at putting on interns at the moment... which has been a very interesting experience. So the Black Milk team should be expanding soon. Yay!

x

jL

p.s. So I think that was a yes for the video content. It won't mean that I'll stop blogging, there will just be lots of behind the scenes stuff. Kind of like a reality TV show, but ... better.

In My Arms, Baby, (Yeah!)

1. I got this picture from the beautiful SP, who got this dress from ... ummmm.... well, she found it. No, she bought it. At a dress shop. Yeah, at a lace layering maxi dress shop. They're everywhere around where I live.

3. Gareth Pugh - strangely, these leggings aren't working for me (I don't know if shaping the slits into the crotch was a god idea), but the fitted, printed nylon top is just awesome (you might have to embiggen it to see what I mean).

 

4. The worst Batman outfits of all time:

The Zebra Batman!!! 

I used to do quite a few Zebra pieces. I just used the last of my last piece of Zebra fabric.

This was an idea I had waaaaaay back in the day.

 

Not bad, for a beginner. Featuring the amazing/beautiful/talented TA, who I think is in Bali starting an accessories line. (Maybe?)

And another vintage (!) Black Milk piece - the reverse Zebs. 

   

Featuring the wonderful KW. Excuse me while I linger down memory lane. :)

5. Printed bodysuits - so hot right now...

 

That's a very thoughtful looking leopard. 

And the bodysuit itself is surprisingly high cut on the neckline. Via.

Especially when compared with a Black Milk neckline...

Thanks RV!

6. Got tipped off to these accidents waiting to happen (thanks to the beautiful EC!): 

Security against being savaged from behind by a psychotic chihuahua.

7. Been thinking about doing a few different things at the moment. What do you guys think about the idea of moving towards more video content? Behind the scenes style stuff...

x

jL

We're Having New Age Fun With a Vintage Feel

1. Woah, woah, wooooah! 

Settle down now. Deep breath. The Union Jack leggings are well and truly gone. I got a huge amount of girls emailing me about them (sorry if I didn't get back to you), and they were snapped up early.

But don't worry I'll definitely be making more. :)

 

Get your British on.

2. Gotta love panels:

 

3. Got this sweet piccie from the oh so stylish MO:

 

Now this, my peeps, is how to style an outfit.

Liquids...

And I didn't notice it at first, but there are some ribs sticking out.

Very slimming. 

4. And the very cute VW sent me this pic of her wearing the Black Milk Velvet Mini Dress:

Yeah, I made a velvet mini dress. Cute enough for you?

For some reason I'm not feeling very confident with my dresses. I don't know exactly why. I'm just afraid there is something I haven't done right and they're going to be terrible.

Yes, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm insecure in my own abilities and plagued by self doubt. 

Keeps me on my toes.

5. Mini shorts.... still deciding.

 

Styled with Docs and a Velvet Bodysuit. Mmmmm... velvet bodysuit.

6. Perspective...

 

"I want some chunky strappy buckle shoes... but I'm afraid you might not have my size" 

7. I got this question from the beautiful SL over the weekend:

I was wondering if when you're interviewed, do you sometimes give some serious answers or are they mostly the 'I was raised with wolves' sort?

What?! I have always strived to be as truthful as possible, ever since I was a cub.

8. It's question and answer time!

Q: Hi jL, I really like the idea of Galaxy Leggings, but I've heard that Black Milk ones are overpriced and take forever to arrive. Any suggestions?

A: Thanks for the question. Yes, there is certainly no need to buy the Black Milk ones. Other places are doing them as well - that's the beauty of market dynamics in a capitalist system! So why not just get theirs?

 

I'm just here to help.

x

jL

One Girl Army

1. Okay, I am posting massive amounts of gear out at the moment. We basically flew into a perfect storm. Still reeling. This is what is going out daily at the moment...

IMPORTANT: Because the printers have changed machines, the colours on some of the prints may (slightly) vary. It shouldn't be a problem, but I thought I should mention it. 

Of course, if for whatever reason there is a problem with the print, or you're not 100% happy - please let us know immediately and we will fix the problem and replace it.

If you guys are happy, I'm happy. 

Hug it out.

2. Always exciting when your clothes get used in a fashion parade (like, real fashion!). Got these pics from the very creative/talented Sarah, the designer behind Saralli Designs:

 

Featuring the Stay Ups, and the Peacock leggings (sneaking away in the background). 

A real runway. (See - I told you I was a real fashion designer!)

3. Got with the always amazing SP a couple of days ago and we tried on lots of clothes (as usual) and ate a stupid amount of delicious Thai food (as usual).

For some unknown reason I made some wetlook bell bottoms. 

 

I don't know if these will get far. It seems that most people want good old fashioned Black Lace Bell Bottoms:

These probably will go far. 

I have one cheap one (let me know if you want it). But I'll probably officially release them soon... 

My last couple of one offs didn't go so well... no takers. You do know what happens to one offs with no takers, right? They go to the infernal realms where bad fashion burns in sulphur and brimstone.

And we tried on this thing I made ages ago:

What do you think? Maybe I should have another crack at that one...

And... velvet bodysuits anyone?

When you're wearing this - I dare you not to keep touching it. 

4. Thanks to the Uber-chic AZ, who tipped me off to these:

Three As Four catsuit. Costs more than mine. 

5. Jay Pee Gee, up to the Knee...

 

Thanks CH! 

6. Found this pic on Style Stalker.

 

You can get them here for $120.

The have holes in the knees.

Yep. 

7. Cool!

 

Flouro under shredded black. I made some hot pink lycra leggings. They can work. You doubt, but you shall see.

8. Not sure how much longer the new collection will be available for. Just saying'.

9. I have gotten a few emails lately from people interested in finding the 'James Lillis Cage Leggings'. Well, I know for sure that Black Milk used to have one. It sounds to me like this James guy has just been ripping off our designs pretending they're his own. 

Scoundrel.

x

jL

The Best Way To Get Over a Woman Is To Turn Her Into Art

1. Got some very pretty pics last week which. Here's a little taste:

And this is kind of a secret, so if you could ... y'know, keep it on the down low, that would be good.

You know how is... you make the most outrageous leggings of 2010, you don't want everyone hearing about it.

Photographer: Chris Fatseas @ www.chrisfatseas.com

Hair/Makeup: Gemma Elaine @ www.embellishedmakeup.com.au

Model: Katrina Lilwall @ Tamblyn Models

2. I made this... I have one. Let me know if you want it.

 

Featuring the always amazing SP... 

3. Making these puppies around the clock...

4. A good demonstration of the point of the Wet Look Pantyhose. Black all the way down. 

 

5. Got this pic of the very awesome Black Milk Cape. It's the black bit at the top.

 

You can do superhero stuff with it:

 

6. Found this on Fashion Distraction....

It's over at Lookbook as well.

How do you guys feel about Lookbook? It seems to me that often some of the 'edgier' looks get overlooked in favour of the more bor... I mean, simpler looks. I don't know.

7. Demi, all is forgiven.

Those are epic - and I can't even see anything above the knee!

I should have made them.

8. There are times when I feel like I'm getting a grip on this whole fashion thing. And other times where I realise that no, I really don't get it.

I was reading the NY Times today, and read the following:

"The Rodarte spring collection was undoubtedly a hit of New York Fashion Week. The designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy could not even take their bow before they were overwhelmed by a rush of editors and retailers praising them to the heavens. Even Elijah Wood was climbing up a stairwell to congratulate the sisters."

Even Elijah Wood! When shire-folk are clamouring up stairs to congratulate you, you know you're on to something.

 

Not being snarky... but am I missing something?

x

jL

Catsuits!!!

1. CATSOOOOOOTS!!!!

Catsuit US$80

Not for everybody, but definitely for some of you... (you know who you are!!!)

And in Velvet:

Velvet Catsuit US$99

There are a couple of cool things about these. Firstly, a technical point... no side seams. This is what a side seam looks like on a catsuit.

 

More seams allow for better shaping ... but I'm not a fan. I'm a minimalist when it comes to seams. The less the better. Let the natural stretch of the fabric do the hard work of getting the shape. The Black Milk Catsuits have a back seam, and that's it (except for the inside leg seam). It just makes the piece a lot flatter, and more ... skin like. And I would say that's the point of a catsuit.

My personal peeve with catsuits is when they simply have a pair off leggings sewn to the bottom of a top. That's cheating.

The key to making a catsuit work is all in the styling. I think they work really well with jackets, long vests and chunky belts. Of course, I'm open to suggestion if you guys have any. :)

And a word of warning on the velvet catsuit ... you will feel the need to touch it. Repeatedly. And so will other people. That could get a little weird. 

2. The Black Milk Facebook page is a fun place (go there... you'll see). At the moment it seems to have two main functions 

• A place where girls can upload pictures of themselves wearing Black Milk pieces.
• A place where people can confess about the dreams they have had involving Black Milk (!).

Both are fine with me.

3. Oh yeah... I might as well put these up as well:

 
 

Lace Leggings US$70
 

4. Pantyhose, in wet look. Say it with me now ... NOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM .... (nom, nom)

5. Take me to your leader...

 

An interesting take on the swirly panel concept. I'm a fan.

6. So you know what it's like ... you get dressed up wearing a Black Ribs Bodysuit with a Ruched Zippered skirt, and you think to yourself - what do I do now? I look fantastic/fierce/amazing/awesome, now I just need to do something outrageous. 

And it's at that moment you spy ... a feather duster. Bingo.

 

Thanks to the beautiful TP!
 
7. Evidence that wearing a Moonwalker bodysuit gives you 83% greater chance of being attacked by a phantasm.

 

Thanks to the uber chic YH. 

8. Got some pics from the beautiful/talented MR (DJDD). Here's a little sneak peek of the shorts for you...:

 

You can guess what she does for a living from this pic. :)

Print courtesy of Beserk Clothing...

9. Got tipped off to this on Flickr...

 

I'm not saying anything... because I'm a lover, not a hater.

But I will say that I'm becoming a massive fan of nude fabric since I picked up 5m last week. You'll see.

x

p.s. A MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE thank you to everyone who got pieces from the new collection. Last week was our biggest week ever. :)  We will be pretty much manufacturing around the clock this week to keep up. Mercy.

Forgive Me Father, For I am a Worm

1. Sewing printed apparel at the moment!!! 

What a mission. Anyone who said that in small business you should expect things to always take twice as long and cost twice as much was waaaaaaaay too optimistic.

2. I'm averaging about 1-2 emails a day from people saying "have you seen this?!" and sending me a picture of some piece that looks suspiciously familiar. In the last couple of days I have had...

 

Did you read the product info section? Living Doll is a sure thing for hip, young, sporty girls who don't like to think too much.... (I'm not kidding - read it!)

They look like someone has said "How can we take the Black Spartans concept and ... y'know, make it ...well, suck."

The unsucky version:

 

And Topshop have this here....

 

Which you may remember from this:

 

Leg Bones, which have the bones design on the back as well (FTW!) 

What is this I hear? A mighty outcry "But jL - many of your products are likewise versions of earlier ideas!!!" Lace Bell Bottoms, for example. You don't need any creative design chops to do that, you just need to subscribe to Fashion Toast, or cruise Nasty Gal with a spare $188"

I know. 

And I am not making any overt moral judgements on these other pieces (really, I'm not). I have no high horse (I don't even have a vertically challenged pony).

If I am having my pieces used as 'inspiration', I'll take that as vindication that my stuff is cool. If I'm gaining inspiration from other pieces, well, I guess it means those ideas were also cool. Just, perhaps, not as cool as they could have been. ;)

So purdy.

(I can't remember where I found this pic, so if this is you, please feel to link to yourself!!!)

3. Got this pic via Religiously Obsessed:

How good? So good. Bodysuit is the (soon to be) iconic Moonwalker.

(In anticipation of the flood of questions I will get from this pic - no, this is not a swimsuit. Yes, swimsuits are coming...)

4. Okay, seriously, I'm not deliberately delaying the release of Black Milk swim pieces because I'm evil. I've just has some concerns about a few things. 

Firstly, I really wanted to get the patterns right. Swim pieces need a bit more exactitude because they don't stretch as much, so I'm being super thorough with making sure they fit well.

I don't want them too high cut. Maybe I'll go for a leg line a little something like this:

 

At least you won't get any fat squeezy on your hips.

I also need to make sure I have enough pieces to cover demand. I am learning the (hard) lesson that very bad things happen when you can't keep up with demand. Strange as it may seem, having too much demand can be just as financially disastrous for your business as too little.

I'm speaking from experience here, in case that wasn't' completely obvious. 

6. Where good fanboys go when they die - the Heavenly Cosplay Kingdom.

6. Printed cotton (I think) leggings from Oswald Helgason.

 

Unusual Gradients and Layers, Yeah?

7. Really liking this, but I can't help wondering if it is leggings making the girl look good, or the girl making the leggings look good. (Or is this assumption nothing more than a logical fallacy based on a false dichotomy and a misunderstanding of the collaborative stylistic relationship between model and garment? Aaaaargh!)

8. I made a nude suit yesterday. And it rocked.

9. Next week... CATSUITS!!!!

x

jL

p.s. Answering questions:

Q. What's the sheer part made from? is it heavy duty mesh or likely to tear/run like stockings?

A. The sheer section is made of a really nice (very expensive!) sheer fabric. It won't ladder unless you are doing too much ninjaing and get caught on barbed wire.

Q. When will we be seeing the bathing suits?

Almost finished. Just done two more prints, one called Monster, the other called Red Galaxy.

Q. Have you thought about doing the straps in all black?

A. I assume you mean PVC straps on a wetlook background? Difficult, but possible...